Category: Health & fitness

Everyone wants a long life. The best prayer you get from a loved one is for a healthy long life. Well, my 92-year-old father, passed away last month having lived a wonderful life. He lived a life according to his own decisions. With the love of his life: his wife for last sixty two years. So, lets say that Masha Allah, good health runs in the family.

The pattern is set with regular healthy meals, presented in proper way, cooked as fresh as possible. Simple wholesome meals, with fruit at the end – unlike the latest theory. They had a wholesome amount of fruits. They thanked Allah profusely, at every step. My parents went for long walks when they didn’t have a car, and I was a baby. I’ve never seen them going for long walks, yet they have been very active. Even from a wheelchair, my father kept getting up to take a walk around the house.

As far as I’m concerned, I love a good exercise any time. Not being a morning person, I prefer a later evening walk. Spending the mornings being active always, doing house chores, or walking as much as possible at the work place.

Regular walks every evening have been a main feature of my life. I love to connect with nature in all weathers and seasons. In Seattle, I’d walk in the snow, or in the rain which I’ve loved. In Pakistan, in the hot weather around Asr or Maghrib times, (between 4.00 pm to 7 pm in the evenings.)

My Health strategies:

There are a few strategies I’ve had for dealing with common ailments like cough, cold, fever, headaches, low BP and high BP and upset stomach which have worked.

Let me share them with you:

Cold, cough and fever:

Go on ‘high alert’ with the first symptom, which is usually a scratchy throat:

Take a Kestine tablet, before sleeping, (it is
an anti-allergy pill with hardly any side-effects. So, you can take any
anti-allergy pill you like.) Relax! Have a good sleep that night.

Ta da! You will wake up fresh.

Just for a few days, avoid cold drinks, sip more
warm drinks, especially hot water.

If you are still unwell, then take another tablet in the morning (- and every morning for five days, if necessary.)

Headaches:

I learnt this one the hard way. When I was expecting my number two kid, Nadiya, I used to have splitting headaches during pregnancy. I didn’t take any tablets, knowing it could harm the baby. But it felt as if a pulse in my head will snap. It was a very difficult pregnancy.

Later on – you will be surprised – I realized that I was to blame for it, not the pregnancy.

All I had to do was:

At the first sign of a headache – stop whatever I was doing, (if I was cooking, just put off the stove.) Then go and lie down. Relax. Stop thinking of any problem. Meditate. Get up after ten minutes, as the headache would be gone by then. If one is at workplace, change the scene, by moving to another room. (Remove the irritant.) Give yourself a cup of tea, nice music, and happy thoughts if you can. It is all in your control.

So, with my next pregnancy, (yes, Waliya!) I executed the above plan, and I was fine.

You do not have to be pregnant to try it. You can do it normally too. We have a habit of ignoring the headache or any problem, and pushing ourselves on with whatever we are doing. All we have to do is to take a short break at the right time.

Weight control:

Throughout my life, my weight has been normal. This was because the moment I gained a kilo or two, I’d lose it immediately. It is easier to lose a kilo than ten kilos.

Now, I’ve found using the step tracker app in my phone or a Fit Bit really helps. Best number of steps per day are 10,000. But you can slowly increase the number,according to your health condition.

Upset stomach:

I’ve been the queen of this. When I was a baby, my mom was super careful
with me, sterilizing everything. With the result, my resistance is too low. So,
food poisoning is something that has happened most of my life. Finally, I’ve almost
conquered it:

Take isafghol: 1 teaspoon, honey: 1 teaspoon, yogurt:
4 tablespoons.

Mix them quickly, and have it immediately, before it coagulates. (This is what it will do in your stomach also.) You will be fine within a couple of hours. If your tummy is very bad, then repeat this twice or thrice. Take plenty of nimkol and have khichri and yogurt for food. You can have normal food too, but preferably,light stuff.

Say ‘no’ to alcohol, cigarettes & drugs:

Enjoy the best in life; here I am with Nigar Nazar going on a Metro ride. She was taking me for breakfast in a hotel in Rawalpindi. Life itself can be the best drug. 😉

Last month, I took my dad to the leading homeopathic Pulmonologist (lung specialist) Rehan Uppal . My father was finding it very hard to swallow food.There was too much liquid in his lower lungs which kept rising as he would eat food.

Dr. Rehan Uppal asked, ‘Does he smoke?’

I said ‘no’.

‘Has he ever smoked?’

‘Yes, forty five years ago.’

‘Before that, he had smoked sporadically for thirty years.’

‘That’s why!’ he said.

So, even though I’ve loved the idea of smoking but have avoided it. Now, definitely not. Why ruin your body? The same applies to all other forms of addictions.

Indulging in one’s hobbies, and being outdoors is lovely.

My preventive health tactics:

Have lemonade at least once a day.

Lots of fruit, and salad with every meal.

Green tea,preferably with herbs like rosemary, and a touch of cinnamon.

Hot milk with half a teaspoon of turmeric powder is good. Otherwise, take a bowl of yogurt, sprinkled with 1/2 or ¼ teaspoon turmeric. This takes care of calcium intake.

Flax seeds (1/2 teaspoon) is also good in a glass of water.

Kalongi, the all-time favorite is great first thing in the morning.

Take 3, 5 or 7 almonds daily. (Best would be mixed nuts, including walnuts.)

Have glasses of water between meals, never during a meal.

Here I am with my two mentors and icons: Mansoor Rahi and Hajra Mansoor. Both are leading full lives in their seventies, and stepping into eighties.

Life style ‘musts’:

Exercise,
in the house, be overly active inside. Be vigilant with five days weekly walks.

Sleep
eight hours every night, (making sure you get six hours straight). Thirty
minute Siesta in afternoon is good too.

Beautiful
environment: live in a home surrounded with beauty of décor, thoughts and lifestyles. It should be comfortable,
bright and happy.

Social
interaction: Include your friends and family members in your life with
love, sharing and caring.

Mansoor Rahi in his eighties, celebrates his birthday with a bang every year. He leads a disciplined life with a regular routine. He is very particular about having more fish and vegetables on a daily basis. He will never indulge in the food we have at parties.

Do follow Luke Coutinho: on Instagram and watch his YouTube videos, I’ve referred to his video on cancer, which I found the best one on this subject. He is very much into lifestyle. Totally agree with him.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=luke+coutinho

How I’ve avoided my knee replacement operation:

Many people over fifty tend to have this issue. Hereis how I’ve managed to avoid my knee replacement operation for last four years.

Dr. Wyne Dyer also managed to do so. It is more in your
mind, and general health care.

‘How do you get so much energy?’ I’m often asked. I’m nothing, I know people who are far more energetic. It is all a matter of focus, interest, and flow. It is a matter of knowing where you are going, and not letting other things/people get in one’s way.

In 1997, I had asked the same question from Dr. Farhat Hashmi. We were sitting in her office, in F-8/3. Her little son was moving around us. There was the sound of students outside, the hustle bustle of a typical Al-Huda Academy was on. I was interviewing her for my article in Dawn. I had spent a full day, at Al-Huda, with my friend Seema. I could see what a grueling time Dr. Farhat would be having managing it all. Yet, she looked serene and in control.

No matter how happy-go-lucky we all seem to be, on the back of our minds, is this horrid fear of cancer. All those who follow me, would know that my husband died of Cancer. So, naturally, this word has a deeper connotation for me. It is natural to ask ‘why?’ and how did it happen?’ What could have been done to prevent it? As a wife, I felt so GUILTY, feeling bad that surely, there must have been something I could have done to prevent it?

Didn’t I see it coming?

No! I didn’t.

On top of it, GBM IV is called a ‘time bomb’ and a ‘death sentence’. Nobody finds out before it is too late. (What a consolation to have to deal with!) But seriously, when I saw the ‘treatments’, I’m glad it wasn’t’ found out earlier!

It was one hell of a painful journey which I wouldn’t wish upon my worst enemies.

Watching this video last night did make me feel better. I can vouch for the fact that, what Luke is saying is 100% accurate.

I am a witness to it.

It also, makes me feel good that I did try to convince my husband to avoid these things, which I did observe him battling with….

So, anyone out there having these lifestyle tendencies, there is still time…

So, in a nutshell, this is what the video says:

6 Basic Commonalities observed in Cancer Patients.

Constipation.

Acidity.

Sleeplessness at night. (No sleep.)

Emotional Stress (Failure to manage stress)

Sedentary lifestyle.

Less water intake.

The greatest stress is made on the need to be forgiving, and as free of stress as possible.

So, all these things my husband had except the sedentary part. (Yes, the sedentary one did begin towards the last six to eight months.) He was basically a very active and health conscious-person. Only, towards the end, he started sleeping a lot, (which is one of the symptoms.)

Some said it happens due to being close to machines (he was an aero-space engineer, so loved machines), using too much mobile phones, being in a heated car, without opening windows, using mobile phone in-car, so on and so forth.

No one mentioned these points mentioned in this video.

When Asma Abbasi shared it with me on fb, I saw it and realized how much sense it made. I went on to watch more videos by this amazing nutritionist.

Wow. He is awesome.

It has given me so much comfort now, because for each one of these, I would try to help my husband in trying to avoid these aspects in his life, for instance, forgive and forget more, try to sleep more, have more water, be more relaxed in life and so on. Being a true husband, he would have an answer to each of the suggestions I made.

Had he known how dangerous these could be, I’m sure he would have given it a lot more consideration.

This is why I’m sharing this video here. So, that if anyone out there has these issues, please realize how dangerous these can be.

All of these points are do-able.

We also need to accept the fact that one day our time will be up. I pray that when it comes, I can go with grace and acceptance, as my husband went. However, this doesn’t mean that we do not try to have a good lifestyle which is healthy right till the end.

Be happy, forgive a lot, have a lot of water, and take a nice chill pill as you go about your life. As they say in Punjabi, ‘mitti pao!’ (And I’d like to add: ‘grow lots of flowers in it!’)

Note: All photographs provided by author and Nataliya Najib Khan. All landscapes of Mount Rainier near Seattle.

When sad, I can’t sit still. I wrote on her in Shahida Azeem, my mentor and friend. Still I was sad, so I wrote about the sadness and how I tried to cope in Dealing with sadness. So this time, I’ve written a list of things I’ve observed in Shahida Apa, which I believe are the secrets of her success . Mrs. Nasreen Haq Nawaz her family friend mentioned that Shahida Azeem has been like this even when she was thirty years younger!

After her passing away, I found out Shahida Apa was eighty eight years old. She walked straight and with grace and showed me how it is possible to live at this age. Here are a few photographs I took during one of my visits to her place. I wish I had taken some videos of hers too.

Whenever I’d mention her to anyone, the first question they’d ask me, ‘what is her age?’ I’d look blankly, surprised.

Ok, come with me for a walk today – only online. Otherwise, it is my ‘me time’. Always has been. This is my time for reflection, and the deflection of problems. Yes, I refuse to let my ‘me time’ be spoiled! This walking is the unwinding and re-energizing session of the day for me.

So, the typical question is ‘Walks kaisi chal rahi hein?’ (How are the walks going?) It really amuses me. But its true. Walks have to be on the move in one’s life. Yet somehow, when there is a break from routine, one’s walking routine is the first to be hit. Then it becomes really difficult to re-start the routine. So, let me say, from my own experience; ‘Never leave your exercise routine – no matter what happens!’ You can try to reduce the walks’ time or even inculcate it into your tough times. But do not leave your walk or exercise routine for long.

It comes on you from nowhere, and suddenly engulfs you with fright and terror. You become at once frozen and yet you want to run out of the enclosed environment as soon as possible. Only that person can relate to it, who has been through it. It’s a very private experience. You desperately want to drink water and you need fresh air at once.

It can happen in a car, in a traffic jam, in a lift or in an overcrowded room. Your first instinct is to run for your life.

I had no idea that it is something that can happen, I thought I knew everything. In fact, one feels that such ‘psychological’ things only happen to weak minded individuals. No, certainly not to someone who is so strong-minded as myself. Well, I was very wrong. The first time it happened was in 2006, that was claustrophobia. But the Panic attack happened to me in 2008.

Ever been sure of dying ‘right now’? That’s what a panic attack is. Suddenly you feel that there is not enough air to breath. Anyone who has been through it usually ‘knows’ it and is sympathetic. My mother hadn’t. So, she responded with “What nonsense, behave yourself!” Being in an overcrowded room or a large area with closed windows brings it on.

Walking on the trails in foothills of the mighty Himalayan mountain range.

Who wouldn’t want to touch the foothills of the great Himalayan mountain range? Margalla Hills in Islamabad, are part of the foothills. So, almost everyone in Islamabad, has to go for a to trek in one of its trails, in the Margalla Hills. ‘Trail 3’ was the steep one which has been very popular for years. Some years ago, my husband and I had been on the Trail 7 which starts behind the Faisal Mosque. Lately, Trail 5 was introduced. This one is less steep, longer, and along the way joins with the trail 3 route also.

You get glimpses of small water falls, streams and pools along the way. The hike is tough if you want to go all the way to the top. Many chicken-hearted people, just stroll in the lower tracks and get back – just as we did!

As far as I know, the camp site has never been actually used – but that is just a conjecture. We Pakistanis are not the camping types usually. Plus it is uncomfortably close to the civilization. No proper bathroom there either, at the camp. However, a few good bathrooms are available near-by.

There is a ‘khokha’ or cabin offering tea and snacks at the car park. You will find the local staff around to watch over you, and even guards strolling around to see you have no problems.

I have a mentor with a great sense of humor. She said “Why is it written in the Holy Quran, that you must take care of your parents without a single ‘uff’ from your side? – (He never said that for taking care of your children!) Because He knows, your parents will create situations which will make you want to exclaim!” And then she went into peals of laughter. It doesn’t mean the kids won’t be difficult. It means we don’t mind them being difficult. Then, why can’t we be more patient for our parents who have already shown their great love for us?

A couple of years ago, I had a first-hand experience of what it means to be ‘disabled’. I had fallen from two steps, in the school where I taught English.
The doctors said, that I need knee replacement operation within a week if possible. It was too big a shock for me, also my students’ final exams were round the corner, so I decided to postpone the operation till the summer vacations. I suffered a lot of pain at every step, and had to use a stick or wheelchair. I had to walk with a very strange gait. I still went for my trip to Dubai and Abu Dhabi because everything had already been arranged and paid for.

Everything is fine, about Ramzan. But the thought of staying without water for almost 17 hours is just too much. I’m one of those ‘water freaks’ who guzzles water all day long. If I go out, my bottle of water goes with me. I had panic attacks once, and what got me out of it was – yes, WATER.

“How am I going to fast?” is my greatest apprehension before every Ramzan.

Somehow, as the days approach, my resolve to fast gets strengthened. It’s a matter of fulfilling the body’s need for water, within the intervening time between ** Iftar and *Sahar – which is around 7 to 8 hours. During this time, you make up your need for water and food of course. It is so simple. Two glasses of water, at Iftari, two with sehri. Four in between. SIMPLE! Theory is fine. But the way, Allah makes it all possible is nothing short of a miracle.

I just tell myself “ DO NOT THINK about water.” A strange calm sets into my system, once it realizes that I’m dead serious about fasting. Out of nowhere, I gain the courage to go without water for all those hours. Let me bring you into some of my tricks. Prayers, sleep, reading Holy Quran, and let me confess watching all those yummy food cooking shows. One watches each part of it with great eagerness, resolving to make it tomorrow. Of course, we all know, ‘tomorrow never comes.’ Once all the necessary parts are done: Zakat and charity given, food distributed among the poor. Iftaris sent to neighbors. There is still so much time left to do so many things. Such as, trying to figure out where my life is taking me? Where was I actually going? – How to get out of quite a few of my weird habits. If I can do without water for so long, I’m sure I can stick to my resolve in other matters too.

Confidence.

I guess, the biggest thing one gets during Ramzan is confidence in one’s own self control. Then the next thing is empathy. To learn first-hand, how a poor person feels when he is hungry, and he has to do all these daily chores too.

Recently, I had the option of spending Ramzan in the US or in Pakistan. Of course I chose Pakistan. – In spite of its load shedding, its heat, its power failures and what not. I love Ramzan in Pakistan. Otherwise, the Middle East is good too, where it’s a month of festivities.

In Pakistan, the month long series of almost 24 hours of special Ramzan programs on television, the special comedy shows, the quiz programs and what not. Then the main focus is of course, the food. Usually, Sehri is just one type of favorite of each family member. Everyone is very vehement about what they want. Some say yogurt is important, some just have a bowl of porridge. I love paratha with aumlet or fried egg, and a cup of tea. Some cannot stand tea, some cannot live without tea. Some say you get more thirsty with tea, others say, no, after tea you don’t feel thirsty at all. Yes, as far as preferences go, sky is the limit. Iftar is the real time of feasting. My friend Ayesha once said “Why can’t everyone have exactly what they want?” All year round we have the typical food for lunch and dinner. This is one time in the year, when we all deserve to be pampered. Just give the family the sandwiches, pakoras, dahi bharas, fruit chat and juices that they want. After all being over 16 hours without water and food is tough enough.

The exchange of dishes between homes in the neighborhood is a lovely tradition. Out of the blue, a tray will arrive with goodies packed in. Then either you keep their dishes, to be filled up with more goodies to be sent back the next day or week. Otherwise, one just exchanges their snacks with one’s own, and fills their dishes with what one had just made for oneself. Somehow, in Pakistani dishes there is a lot of ‘barkat’ or it goes round very far. There will be enough for all. It is a month of so much loving and giving – that you love it!

There was a time in my life when I got into the ‘ Iftar Party’ scenario. Each person out doing the other in the matter of extravagance and goodies served at iftar parties. Now, I’m clear about not indulging in these iftar parties . I think it is neither fair to the hostess, nor the staff working in their home. One must be kinder to the staff in this month. So, that’s not possible, when you are making them run around while breaking their fast.

Reading of Holy Quran with meaning has thankfully become very prevalent everywhere now. It is very good. “I just can’t complete the whole Quran in one Ramzan.” I lamented once to my favorite Islamiat teacher in College of Home Economics, Ms. Tamseela. She listened with a smile, and said, “That’s okey, it would be even better if you started the Quran in one Ramzan and finished it in the next Ramzan.” It took me a while to realize what she was saying to me. That it would be even better to read the Holy book throughout the year. So, you benefit from its teachings, all year round. I wish she knew, that now, I’m humbly able to complete almost five to six Qurans in one year. My main focus is on the translations. The meaning is the most important aspect of it. Still every time, I’m touched deeply by the incidents which often tally with my life in today’s world. The prayers make sense to me in my life, and I read them with great feeling, as if I’m praying that prayer for myself. I am.

The stories of the prophets give me strength. Their steadiness in those times, gives me the single mindedness to stay on that same path if I possibly can. – Because in the end, it takes one where every human being wants to go.

Oh, I got so serious.

This is a month of inner peace and tranquility. May God bless each one of you, my dear Readers.

Have a blessed Ramzan.

– Whether you are a Muslim or not, stay blessed.

*Sehri: is the feast one has in the early hours of the morning, around 2.30 am. One finishes eating at the call of prayer around 3.10 am. Then one cannot take a single extra sip or bite of food.

** Iftari: is a time when one breaks the fast, usually with a date which is full of energy.

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About Me!

I am a freelance artist, blogger and writer, usually focusing on the positive aspects of living, I've been painting all my life, with ten solo exhibitions under my belt and many group shows. Over 700 articles published in some of the leading dailies of Pakistan most of these in Dawn newspaper. I try to bring you certain facts that could help change yours and my life for the better. I enjoy the humorous, spiritual and thought provoking aspects of life. Usually my blogs emphasize and appreciate many things that we take for granted. Most of my writings are about the day-to-day observations and inspirations. Being an artist, I love to share with you paintings, and artistic moments. So naturally, I also like to share any books or literary events that I come across. Main thing is to enjoy this life in spite of all the hazards that we all face anyway. Mainly to focus on thrills of living, while finding peace within.